With the next presidential election approaching, major candidates are highlighting the cultivation of K-startups as a key promise, bringing optimism to the startup industry. Growth strategies focused on advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors are being announced in succession, increasing expectations in the relevant sectors.
According to a report by ChosunBiz on the 14th, Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party, recently stated that he would usher in an 'era of 100 trillion won investment in AI' as his first pledge in the presidential election. He emphasized the cultivation of the AI industry, including the strengthening of the National AI Commission under the President and the establishment of a national AI data cluster. On the day of his pledge announcement, Lee visited the domestic AI semiconductor startup FuriosaAI as his first official schedule.
Candidates from the People Power Party are also successively presenting policies for the cultivation of startups. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo promised the establishment of a 'K-Startup Fund' on the 13th, laying out a blueprint to foster five strategic industries: AI, semiconductors, mobility, bio, and K-services.
Previously, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon declared his candidacy on the 10th, saying, 'I will achieve innovation with the determination to engage in an economic war.' He announced a strategy to focus on cultivating the 'Big 5' sectors, which include robots, semiconductors, energy, and bio.
The venture investment market, which enjoyed a boom under low interest rates in 2021, is now showing a rapid decline. According to data from The VC, a venture investment data platform, the number and amount of investments in domestic startups and small and medium-sized enterprises have continued to decline since peaking in 2021. In particular, starting in 2023, both the size and frequency of investments have decreased by about 20% compared to the previous year, indicating that the downturn has intensified.
In addition, with the political uncertainty following former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law measures on December 3, investor sentiment has further weakened. In fact, the number of startup investments in the first quarter of 2025 was only 243, a 24% decrease compared to the same period last year, and the investment amount also decreased by 4% to 1.2363 trillion won.
Amid these circumstances, startup policies have emerged as a major issue in the presidential election, garnering excitement in the startup industry. Jeong Ji-eun, chairperson of the Korea Startup Forum Policy Committee, stated, 'It is very encouraging for the industry that startups were mentioned as the top priority in the presidential pledges.'
Lee Ji-young, an expert at the Startup Alliance, noted, 'It is fortunate that the understanding that artificial intelligence and innovation ecosystems are the future of the national economy has spread among the presidential candidates,' and positively assessed the expansion of AI investment.
However, the industry points out that support needs to be more sophisticated than merely expanding investment. The chairperson emphasized, 'There are concerns that the benefits of AI investment may be concentrated on certain large companies,' and added, 'We need to consider structured solutions to ensure that actual funds are effectively invested in startups that need them.'
He continued, 'Balanced support is needed not only for fabless companies (semiconductor design specialists) but also for various AI fields such as software-based services,' urging the diversification of AI support.
The chairperson also urged the need for communication with the industry to enhance policy effectiveness. He stated, 'If we do not reflect the voices from the field, regulations that are disconnected from reality are inevitable,' and expressed hope that various field opinions would be incorporated into policies to establish practical and specific measures.